On the 19th of August the SIXTH marched into position at _Vimiera_, a village near the sea-coast, and situate in a valley through which runs the little river Maceira; and the regiment was one of the corps posted on a large mountain which commenced at the coast. At seven o'clock on the morning of the 21st of August a cloud of dust was observed beyond the nearest hills, and soon afterwards the French army, commanded by Marshal Junot, was seen advancing in order of battle. The SIXTH, and several other corps, were directed to cross the valley behind the village, and to take post on another height, which overtopped the hill in front of the village; and, before the regiment reached the summit, the battle had commenced. A sternly contested action among rugged rocks and broken grounds ended in an entire defeat of the French army; and the SIXTH were rewarded with the honour of bearing the word "_Vimiera_" inscribed on their colours. These successes were followed by the convention of Cintra, and the British soldiers saw their gallant efforts succeeded by the deliverance of Portugal from the power of the enemy. On the departure of the French, the SIXTH marched up the country to the strong fortress of Almeida, situate on the river Coa, in the province of Beira, where they remained in garrison four months. [Sidenote: 1809] In the mean time reports were circulated of the insurrection against the French, and it was affirmed that enthusiastic multitudes of Spaniards were pressing forward from every quarter to complete the destruction of the legions of Napoleon, which were stated to be baffled, dispirited, and on the eve of quitting Spain. Although the accounts given by the Spaniards of their own strength and power were absurdly exaggerated, yet the British government, placing some confidence in the immense numbers of the patriots, and in the goodness of their cause, sent Lieut.-General Sir John Moore with an army into Spain to aid them in their laudable exertions to effect their emancipation; and the SIXTH were withdrawn from Almeida to take part in this hazardous enterprise. After passing the frontiers of Portugal and pushing forward boldly into Spain, the British troops met with disappointment and disaster. Bonaparte had passed the Pyrenees with a powerful army, and rushing like a tempest upon the undisciplined multitudes of patriots, he quickly broke, destroyed, and dispersed them; then bending his course to Madrid, entered the capital in triumph. Little remained to be done to complete the conquest of Spain, but the destruction of the army of Britons, who, by long and toilsome marches through a difficult country, had ventured to menace his lines, and were the only troops in Spain capable of resisting his veteran legions. Quitting Madrid, he advanced with an immense army capable of enveloping and of swallowing up the handful of British troops; but Sir John Moore, with his characteristic energy and skill, withdrew